Illawarra film helps guide the healing journey of Koori women

Illawarra Koori Women's Group and Illawarra Women's Health Centre have launched a DVD to profile the spirit, strength and importance of Koori women in the Illawarra.

Healing Heart is a short film and follows the work both organisations have done initiating and implementing innovative health and well-being activities for Koori women in the region.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Linda Burney, who attended the launch at Centenary Hall, Albion Park, said she was impressed by the message conveyed in the film that brought together elders and young women.

Ms Burney said she had just read a report that talked about a 10-year difference between the life expectancy of Aboriginal women and non-Aboriginal women.

"You wonder how that can be in a country like Australia," she said.

"[In the DVD] people talk about things like healing, [we] hear people talk about broken hearts ... emotions, memories, beliefs, elders, families, beauty, pain, anguish and anger and how that affects the beat of your heart.

"Children came up time and time again. And the talking circle of women was just so powerful."

Sylvia Campbell, a Gumbanggirr woman, and Janelle Brown, a Gunai Kurnai and Yuin descendant, represented the Illawarra Koori Women's Group at the launch.

"This film highlights how when women join together, a journey of healing can begin," Mrs Campbell said.

"We want our young women to grow up strong, with strong connections to culture and family."

Illawarra Women's Health Centre general manager Sally Stevenson described it as a powerful event for Koori women.